Description: The Sikorsky H-53 program was born to meet the requirements of the US Marine Corps (USMC) for a heavy-lift transport helicopter suitable for shipboard operations. Its primary mission is to transport supplies, troops and equipment in support of amphibious and shore operations. The program was launched in the early 1960s with the CH-53A Sea Stallion achieving initial operational capability (IOC) in November 1966. The CH-53D Sea Stallion is an improved variant of CH-53A. The CH-53A/D models are powered by two General Electric T64 turboshaft engines and feature a six-bladed main rotor. The CH-53D is powered by two T64-GE-413 engines rated at 3,935-shp each. In addition to A and D models for the USMC, Sikorsky also developed the HH-53B/C/H variant for the US Air Force and the RH-53D Airborne MineCountermeasures (AMCM) for the US Navy. The US Air Force H-53 aircraft led to the development of the MH-53J Pave Low III.

The CH-53A/D Sea Stallion helicopter was sold to Austria, Israel, Iran and Germany. Austria sold its two CH-53s to Israel. Israel upgraded its H-53 fleet under the CH-53 Yasur 2000 program. The CH-53G designation refers to the H-53 aircraft operated by the German Armed Forces with most of them built under license in Germany. The USMC CH-53D aircraft along with the CH-46E are planned for replacement by the MV-22 Osprey beginning in the mid/late 2010s and the CH-53K in the early 2020s.